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My name is Ally Bean and this is my personal blog, answering the question: "What up, Buttercup?" I'm here a few times a week-- unless, of course, I'm not. And yes, I wear eyeglasses. Spectacles, if you will.

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“I am not always good and noble. I am the hero of this story, but I have my off moments.”
~ P.G. Wodehouse, Love Among the Chickens

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Zen And The Art Of Blog Maintenance

~ Like a busy little bee I’ve been tweaking the spectacled bean these last few weeks. After three months of blogging I’ve made some decisions about what I’m going to write about and how I’m going to do it. And why, of course.

~ I’ve deleted some posts and categories. I decided that I will write what I want to write about, when I want to write about it– and not at the command of others. Seems obvious, I know, but perhaps I’m just a slow learner when it comes to putting a blog together.

~ I’ve added some tags and reworded some of my category names. Now they more accurately reflect what I want to share with the world. Not really very important to you, gentle readers, but this makes a big difference to me. Keeps me focused.

~ I created a FB fan page for this blog. I don’t know what I’m going to do with it. Maybe nothing. But I figured that since one of my rules in life is to “maximize my options,” I’d better do that by creating a free, easy-to-set-up FB page. [Link in the sidebar to the right. No obligation to be a fan, btw.] [Please note: FB fan page deleted 08.11. No point to it.]

~ When I started this blog I thought that I’d try to have some sort of posting schedule. I know that it’s easier for my readers when I’m consistent. But here’s the thing: I didn’t always have something to say on the days of the week that I scheduled myself to post on. So I’m going to allow myself to be random. I figure that having something to say every once in a while is more important than saying nothing on a timely schedule.

~ I want to have more photos in this blog. I’m in the process of organizing our digital photos; eventually I hope to use many of them in this blog. Plus, I need to start taking more photos. But right now I feel so overwhelmed by the afore-mentioned mess of photos, that I’m reluctant to take more photos– which will just add to the mess.

~ I’ve been thinking about what I want to do with this blog. And if I’m honest, I have to say: nothing. It seems like I should have loftier, more commercial goals for this sweet little bloggy. Maybe someday I will. But at the moment the spectacled bean is a hobby that keeps my brain alive, my heart engaged, and allows me to stay in touch with those who care about me and Zen-Den. And that’s enough for me.

11 thoughts on “Zen And The Art Of Blog Maintenance”

Perfect! All of it is utterly right. It should be you posting what you want to when you feel like it and including photos of whatever strikes your fancy. This is your blog, not ours. You decide what you want to write on your own schedule. That’s the beauty of a blog! P.S. I love you!

Alison & Margaret, I think that this post may be my blogging manifesto.

When I started this blog I never really intended for it to be so public, but I was discovered by one friend– and then it was only a matter of time before I was out there again. This is fine, but I wasn’t really mentally ready for keeping a public blog.

Then a few weeks ago I had an epiphany that I’d better figure out what and how I wanted to keep this blog, or it was going to eat me up with worry. So I decided to change some things– and voila! I felt better and more in control. So I changed some more things until I eventually got my head wrapped around what I was going to be doing here.

Thanks for telling me I’m okay. I’m glad that you two approve of my thoughts. That means I’m on the right track.

I always thought that a blog was the writer’s thoughts whenever he/she wanted to share, not necessarily on a daily or weekly basis. I really don’t expect something all the time, Alice 🙂 Just relax and know you’re speaking to friends. And I love the picture of the bumble bee!

Elizabeth :-), I think that you’ve described the ideal blog very well.

I have no intention of being a daily blogger. Been there, done that. It was fun, but tiring.

In this blog I’m sticking to a once or twice a week posting schedule, and as I don’t really care if this blog is commercially viable, I’ll write about what interests me.

But it is sometimes difficult for me to decide what I want to share with the world and what I want to keep to myself. That’s why before I got any more involved with this blog I needed to set up categories and tags that made sense to me. They keep me focused– which ultimately keeps me relaxed about what I’m doing here.

About a year ago I stopped posting every day; I think it’s better when not on a schedule, although some readers may disagree. Some bloggers claim to post every day, but in reality re-run their earlier posts or file something short and nonsensical. So doing what you like in terms of your blog sounds like the most reasonable solution to me! I’m just glad you started blogging again! You were missed.

the beauty of blogging is that it’s whatever you want it to be. that and it’s way cheaper than therapy. blog what you want. when you want. with or without photos (we can’t tell how they’re organized on your computer). it’s your blog. blog like it’s only for you. the rest will come.

Oh my goodness – I just wrote a very similar post (on how I was now going to write about what I wanted to write about rather than what I felt I was “supposed” to write about). It’s funny how it’s so hard to come to that conclusion… even though it should be easy!